Workpiece transfer mechanism

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for transferring a plurality of rows of workpieces, such as cans and the like, laterally to a machine having a plurality of work stations at which the workpieces are gripped through a transverse motion and, while gripped, are transferred laterally to the successive stations. The movements are timed with, but not tied to, the working movement of the machine itself by a drive system of cams, gears and the like.

United States Patent [191 Paumier et a1.

r111 3,768,667 Oct. 30, 1973 WORKPIECE TRANSFER MECHANISM [75 Inventors:Thomas B. Paumier, Canton;

Joseph D. Bulso, Jr., William R. Lewers, both of C anton, Ohio [73]Assignee: Paumier, 1nc., Canton, Ohio [22] Filed: Mar. 22, 1971 [21]Appl. No.: 126,860

[52] US. Cl. 214/1 BB, 198/218 51 Int. Cl. [58] Field of Search [56]References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,430,782 3/1969 Henkel 2 14/1 BZ3/1969 Bautz 214/1 BZ 9/1970 McCaughey 214]] BB X PrimaryExaminer-Gerald M. Forlenza Assistant ExaminerGeorge F. AbrahamAttorney-Hamilton, Renner & Kenner 57 ABSTRACT An apparatus fortransferring a plurality of rows of workpieces, such as cans and thelike, laterally to a machine having a plurality of work stations atwhich the workpieces are gripped through a transverse motion and, whilegripped, are transferred laterally to the successive stations. Themovements are timed with, but not tied to, the working movement of themachine itself by a drive system of cams, gears and the like.

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BY W%L%LIA R. gEgE 7 ATTORNEYS WORKPIECE TRANSFER MECHANISM BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a mechanism for thecontrolled transfer of workpieces in a manufacturing process. Moreparticularly, this invention relates to a mechanism which transfersarticles, such as partially drawn cans, to a second or redrawing presswhich has two or more stations therein, for example, one station fordrawing the can into its final form and possibly a second station forthe trimming of the drawn can into a usable form. The transfer mechanismof the present invention not only conveys the partially drawn cansstep-by-step to the first station but at the same time also controls thetransfer from the first to the second station within the redraw press.

In the manufacture of articles such as cans or the like, sheets ofmaterial, usually aluminum or some metallic alloy but often plastic, arestamped and drawn into a cup-like shape by a standard drawing pressmechanism. These partially drawn articles are then conveyed to the inputof a redraw press which, in one stroke, both draws the cup-like memberinto its final can shape and performs other functions such as trimmingthe excess flash-like areas from the can. While such a process is wellestablished in the art of the manufacture of cans and the like, anadequate mechanism to receive the successive cans from the initaldrawing press and present these cans to the draw, trim and otherstations of the redraw press has remained an unsolved problem. If usedfor draw and trim stations, such transfer mechanisms must be capable ofmoving two cans (one from the input of the redraw press to the drawingstation and the other from the drawing station to the trimming station)laterally, simultaneously. Further, the lateral movement into and out ofthe redraw press must be coordinated with a transverse movement of thecan gripping means and with the downward movement of the press ramitself. The singly most flagrant shortcoming of the prior art is that noexisting device, of which we are aware, has the capabilities ofoperating on multiple lines. Further, in many prior presses both thelateral and the transverse movement of the can gripping member are aslave to and therefore dependent upon the downward movement of thepress.

For example, in one such design a rack and pinion type connection existsbetween the press stroke and the transfer mechanism. This is a veryundesirable design because the lateral motion of.the can grippingmembers is effected only at the time of the greatest speed of the press,with the gripping members being stopped suddenly when the ram is at thetop and bottom of the stroke; that is, when the ram speed is zero. Infact, it is at that time (zero ram speed) when the transfer of cans intoand out of the press is most desirable. Further, because of thestop-and-go nature of this transfer device, its operation is quite jerkyand thus is incapable of operation at high speeds without a violentshock causing undue wear on vital parts, thus greatly shortening theirlife. The transverse or gripping motion of the can gripping members islikewise unacceptably uneven in this design with the motion again takingplace while the ram is moving rather than while the ram is inactive orless active.

Another deficient prior art device creates the necessary lateralmovement of the can gripping members by a reciprocating rocker camdriven by an eccentric on a crankshaft extension of the press. Thisdesign is advantageous over the device just described in that the timeof the movement of the gripping members may be established at desirablepoints in the press stroke. However, because of the inherent rockingaction, this design also has its limitations. For example, as thegripping members are transferred forward, that is, laterally toward thepress, it is desirable that a rapid start and acceleration, smoothslowdown and smooth stop be accomplished. While this can be effected, itwould be desirable that the same motion be accomplished on the returnstroke; yet the opposite inherently occurs due to the design. While thisdevice can operate more efficiently at speeds higher than the rack andpinion design, the transfer speed is nevertheless limited because of theerratic return motion.

The transverse or gripping motion of the reciprocating rocker cam deviceis usually controlled by a dog leg type of cam tied to the ram motorsuch that the downward motion of the ram spreads the gripping elementswhile the upward motion closes the gripping elements. This, too, has thebasic shortcoming in that the motion is directly tied to the rammovement manifested in the fact that when operating at high speeds thegripping element can not be moved together at the proper time tomaintain complete control of the workpiece.

' SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is thus a primary object of the presentinvention to provide an apparatus which can transfer workpiecesstep-by-step to and within a machine, such as a redraw press,independently of any work operations in the machine.

It is likewise a primary object of the present invention to provide anapparatus, as above, which is capable of transferring multiple lines ofworkpieces to the machine.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus,as above, in which neither the lateral transfer movement of the redrawpress nor the transverse gripping movement of the transfer mechanism isdependent on the stroke of the ram of the redraw press.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus, as above, in which the transfer and gripping movements can betimed to occur anywhere on the press stroke.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide anapparatus, as above, whose operation creates a flywheel effect giving atotally smooth operation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an apparatus,as above, which is capable of efficient operation at high speed.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anapparatus, as above, in which the drive mechanism creating thetransverse or gripping motion of the transfer mechanism is carried withthe lateral motion of.the transfer mechanism, thereby effecting totalworkpiece control.

These and other objects of the present invention which will becomeapparent from the following descriptionare accomplished by improvementshereinafter described and claimed.

In general, a transfer mechanism according to the present inventionreceives a plurality of lines of workpieces such as cans and the likefrom a pick-up station established by an escapement-like mechanism andmoves them laterally to the first station in a machine,

such as a redraw press. At the sametime, a can already at the firststation is transferred to a second station. Similar simultaneous actionoccurs throughout a plurality of parallel stations dependent on thenumber of stations being utilized. With the cans in their properposition at the various stations, the gripping mechanism movestransversely to release the cans and then laterally retreats to itsgripping position to pick up and transfer the next set of cans.

A series of rocker arms which carry the transfer mechanism effect thelateral or transfer movement, being connected to a reciprocating rockershaft. The reciprocating motion is derived through a cam followerconnection with a cam plate that rotates 360 degrees. A second rotarycam plate which reciprocates with the rocker arms effecting the lateralmovement drives a gear rack which, in turn, drives an eccentric pinionto effect the transverse or gripping motion. The two motions arecoordinated with each other and with the stroke of the press, and havethe capabilities of being independently adjstable to occur at any pointwithin the press cycle. The motions, however, are not a slave to theposition of the press ram.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic elevational viewshowing the transfer mechanism of the present invention in theenviornment of a redraw press.

FIG. 2 is a top view taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIGS. 4 and 4a on two sheets, comprise a view taken substantially alongline 4-4 of FIG. 1, line a-b of FIG. 4 joining with line ab' of FIG. 4a.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a seectional view taken substantially along line 66 of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 7-7 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 88 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 99 of FIG. 4a.

FIGS. 10 and 10a, on two sheets, comprise an enlarged top plan view of atransfer mechanism according to the concept of the present invention thesame as that shown on a smaller scale in FIG. 2, line a-b of FIG. 10joining with line a'b' of FIG. 10a.

FIG. 11 is another enlarged top plan view, similar to FIG. 10, showingthe transfer mechanism in a sequentially later position.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 12-12 of FIG.10.

FIG. 13 and 13a, on two sheets, are sectional views taken substantiallyalong lines 1313 and 13al3a, respectively, of FIGS. 10 and 10a,respectively, line a-b of FIG. 13 joining with line a'-b' of FIG. 13a.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 14-14 of FIG.11.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken substantially along line 1515 of FIG.10.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A conventional press such asthat used to redraw cans and the like is indicated generally by thenumeral in FIG. 1 and is shown somewhat schematically as having a crownor drive portion 21, a slide portion 22 and a base portion 23. A motorwithin drive portion 21 rotates shaft 24 which carries sprocket wheel 25to, in turn, drive roller chain 26. Chain 26 is connected to onesprocket of a duo-sprocket take-up idler assembly 27, the secondsprocket transferring the power to drive shaft 28 through chain 29. Anadjustable take-up 30 allows the tension on chains 26 and 29 to bereadily altered. Drive shaft 28 is supported at each end in aconventional manner, as by pillow blocks 31 and 32 and is spaced fromthe floor 33 by a series of bearing supports 34. Drive shaft 28 furtherrotates, via chains 35 and 36 the main drive shafts 101 and 102 of adual transfer mechanism indicated generally by the numeral 100, to behereinafter described in more detail.

A series of conveyors 40 which bring workpieces, such as cups orfirst-operation drawn cans C, or the like, to the transfer mechanism 100is best shown in FIG. 2. While five rows of conveyors 40 are shown asfeeding into both sides of the press 20, it is evident that any numbermay be utilized, dependent on press capabilities. As will hereinafter bedescribed, the partially drawn cans C are fed on the ten conveyors 40 toescapement mechanisms 60 which hold the leading can C and locate it suchthat it may be picked up by the transfer mechanism 100.

The particular redraw press 20 shown is one having within its slideportion 22 to work stations for each line of cans C. As shown in FIGS. 2and 3, the first station encounted by by the cans C as they enter thepress 20 is a redraw station 50. After being drawn from their cup-likeform into a finished can shape, the cans C move to a trim station 51.The die assembly tooling 52, shown schematically in FIG. 3, for eachstation and 51 is connected, as by bolts 53, to the bolster plate 54which is held by the top of the base portion 23.

The press head or punch holder 55 is downwardly movable during pressactuation and carries a cup holding device 61, to be hereinafterdescribed in conjunction with the detailed description of the transfermechanism a drawing head 56 for each drawing station 50; and a trimminghead 57 for each trimming station 51. When a cup is redrawn at station50, it is pressed and formed within the tooling 52 and must be liftedout so that it can be transferred to the next station. For this purpose,the press 20 is provided with a conventional lift-out mechanism 58 whichis activated at the proper moment to raise the drawn can out of thetooling 52. The can C is then transferred to the trimming station 51and, as it is trimmed, it is discharged within guide bars 59 to atake-away conveyor or other discharge-like device below (not shown). Thescraps of trimmed material T (FIG. 2) are pushed onto a take-awayconveyor 45 located centrally of the press 20 by the transfer mechanism100.

The apparatus described thus far is for the most part conventional in aredrawing press such that manufactured by The Minster Machine Company,Minster, Ohio. As such, this press forms the environment for thetransfer mechanism 100, the actuation and structure of which will now bedescribed in detail.

As previously described, and as best shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the chain35 drives the main shaft 101 of the transfer mechanism 100 by means of asprocket assembly 103. Shaft 101 passes through a bearing collar 104,

through a gear housing or box indicated generally by the numeral 105,and through further bearings 106, terminating at end bearing 107.Suitable support bearing brackets 108 may be provided along the lengthof shaft 101, as desired, brackets 108 being fixed, if convenient, tothe press 20.

Fixed to opposite end portions of shaft 101 are two cam plates 110having cam channels 111 therein (FIG. 9). Cam follower rollers 112 ridein channels 111 and are carried by arms 113 which are fixed to rockershaft 114. As shown in FIG. 9, each cam channel 111 is designed suchthat the full rotary motion of cam plates 110 is transferred into anangularly reciprocating or rocking motion of rocker shaft 114. In thepreferred embodiment, cam channels 111 are designed such that the shaft114 rocks through an angle of about 24 degrees. Like drive shaft 101,rocker shaft 114 may be suitably supported along its length as bybearing brackets 115 and pass through a conventional bushing 116 and endbearings 117. It should be noted that bushing 116 and end bearings 117and 107 are all mounted on a bracket 118 which is fixed to the side ofthe press 20.

A plurality of throw arms or rocker arms 120 are mounted on rocker shaft114 for arcuate reciprocation or oscillation therewith. Rocker arms 120are provided in groups of two and afford lateral movement of thetransfer mechanism 100 to and from the press 20. The top of each arm 120terminates in a clevis-like structure 121 for connection with link arms122 (FIG. 10a). Link arms 122 are likewise pinned, as at 123, to theclevis connection of clevis blocks 124, the base portion of which areattached, as by bolts 125, to rods 126 which carry, at their outer end,a shuttle carriage indicated generally by the numeral 130. Shuttle 130(FIG. 10) is affixed to the ends of rods 126 in a clamping structure131, as by bolts 132 and 180 (FIG. 13), with rods 126 passing throughsuitable bearing supports 133. It should thus be evident that therocking of shaft 114, as driven by cam plate 110 on drive shaft 101,translates the shuttle carriage 130 of transfer mechanism 100 laterallyto and from within the press 20.

In order to provide for the transverse orvgripping movement of a portionof the transfer mechanism 100, the drive shaft 101 is, as previouslydescribed, fed through a gear box 105, the details of which are bestshown in FIG. 5. Shaft 101 is structurally supported as by bearing block134 and bushings 135, and drives an oil pump gear 136 which operates anoil pump 137 in a standard manner to provide an oil bath for the geartrain indicated generally by the numeral 140, shown in more detail inFIG. 6.

A spur gear 141 is keyed to shaft 101 and confined in place by mountingcollars 142. Gear 141 meshes with an intermediate spur gear 143 whichrides on a bushing 144 on fixed stub shaft 145, being held by collar andwasher assemblies 146. Spur gear 143, in turn, operates a secondintermediate spur gear 147 which rides on a bushing 148 on fixed stubshaft 149, being held in place by collar and washer assemblies 150.Shafts and 149 are mounted within bearing block 134 on one side and inthe gear housing 105, itself, on the other side, with structuralstrength being afforded by plate 151.

Another intermediate spur gear 152 extends around rocker shaft 114 andrides on bushing 153, being held in place by c9llar and washer assembly154. Spur gear 152 transfers the motion from gear 147 to a furtherintermediate spur gear 155 mounted on an axle 156 and held in place asby nut 157.

Spur gear 155 transfers motion to a final spur gear 158 of gear train140, gear 158 being keyed to the rotatable secondary drive shaft 160.The operation of the gear train 140 is such that the shaft 160 rotatesat the same speed as shaft 101 and in the direction of the arrow of FIG.6, with gears 143, 147, 152 and 155 acting only as idler gears changingthe direction as shown in FIG. 6 and transferring the motion at aone-to-one ratio. While these gears have been shown and described asspur gears, it should be evident that any type of motion transferringmechanism would be satisfactory.

Two oscillating brackets 161 and 162 are keyed to the rocker shaft 114,as at 163, and clamped thereto by bolts 164. Received through the upperportion of brackets 161 and 162 through bushings 165 in shaft 160. Thus,shaft 160 and the elements attached thereto reciprocate or oscillatewith rocker shaft 114.

Affixed to shaft 160, as by taper lock bushings 166 is a fingeractuating cam plate 167 having a cam channel 168 therein for receiving acam follower roller 169. A throw arm 170 connects the cam followerroller 169 to a finger control shaft 171 which extends throughoscillating bracket 162, being held in place by collars 172. It shouldthus be evident that shaft 171 not only oscillates with shaft 114 asshown in the phantom lines in FIG. 6, but also itself angularlyreciprocates or rocks due to its connection with rotating cam plate 167.

Finger control rocker shaft 171 extends slidably through the rocker arms120 and is fixed to a plurality of finger control rocker or throw arms173, there being one arm 173 for each pair of arms 120. As best shown inFIGS. 10a and 13a, a turnbuckle type linkage 174 is pinned to theclevis-like top 175 of each arm 173. Turnbuckle linkage 174 is likewisepinned, as at 176, to a clevis connection of clevis block 179, the baseportion of which is attached, as by bolt 177, to support rod 178. Rod178 also extends through bearing supports 133 and bearing structure 131.The clevis block also carries a finger actuating rack bar 181 whichextends through the bearing support 133 and a further bearing guide 182.Rack bar 181 terminates with teeth 183 at both sides thereof (FIG. 10)which engage the pinion shafts 184. Eccentrically connected to pinionshafts 184, as by throw arms 185, (FIG. 12), are pins 186, each of whichis mounted within one eyelet 187 of a double eyelet connector 188. Theother eyelet 189 of each connector 188 is fixed to a can gripping fingermechanism indicated generally by the numeral 190.

Each can gripping finger mechanism 190 includes a hook-like portion 191for grasping a cup C to be redrawn; a substantially flat body portion192 having an arcuate recess 193 for gripping a can C which has beenredrawn; and a pusher plate 194 for pushing the scraps of material fromthe trimming station 51. As previously described, the finger mechanisms190 are attached to the shuttle 130 by the double eyelet connector 188,and are further supported by two rods 195 slidable in recesses 196 ofshuttle 130 and connected to the body portion 192.

As should be evident from FIGS. 10 and 11, and the overall top planview, FIG. 2, the finger mechanism 190 on each side of each shuttle 130cooperates with the next adjacent finger mechanism 190 to completelygrip the cans C. As the arms 173 rock to the end of the stroke as shownby the chain lines in FIGS. 13a and as dictated by cam 167, the rackbars 181 move in an out rotating pinions 184 to move the fingermechanisms 190 transversely to grip the cans C, the rods 195 sliding inrecesses 196.

Each shuttle 130 is further provided with two slots 197 in which traveltwo rollers 62 from the escapement mechanisms 60 which hold the leadingcup C at a pickup station to be received by the hook-like portions 191of finger mechanisms 190. As best shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 15, rollers62 are journaled on axles 63 extending through outturned flanges 64 ofarms 65 and 66, being held in place as by nuts 65a and 660. Anescapement spindle 67 is mounted to the press 20 and receivestherearound the downturned collar-like flanges 68 and 69 of arms 65 and66, respectively. A bushing 70 is received between collar flanges 68 and69, allowing each to rotate independently on spindle 67. A table cap 71is connected to the spindle 67 and holds the escapement arms 65 and 66axially in place as well as providing a surface for the cups C to slideon as they pass from conveyors 40.

Arms 65 and 66 have escapement heads 72 and 73 attached thereto,respectively. As best shown in FIG. 10, heads 72 and 73 are contouredsuch that in the withdrawn position of shuttle 130 faces 74 cooperate tohold back the row of cups C to be redrawn, and faces 75 cooperate withthe cup-holding device 61 (and at times hook portions 191) to hold thenext cup to be conveyed to the press.

With the shuttle 130, the escapement mechanisms 60 and finger mechanisms190 in the position of FIG. 10, the transfer mechanism 100 is at itsmost rearward position away from the press 20 with finger mechanisms 190having been removed transversely outward with the hook portion 191 oftwo finger mechanisms of adjacent shuttles 130 gripping a cup C, withthe recesses 193 of two adjoining finger mechanisms confining a canhaving been redrawn at station 50, and with the escapement mechanism 60holding back the row of cups C, one being shown in chain lines.

From the point shown in FIG. 10, the rocker arms 120 begin to move thetransfer mechanism inward due to the operation of cam plate 110. Theposition of cam follower roller 112 in channel 111 of plate 110 shown inFIG. 9 represents the approximate center of the inward stroke. Thebrackets 161 and 162 of FIGS. and 6 are also shown at this midstrokeposition with cam follower roller 169 in channel 168 of the fingeractuating cam plate 167 also being shown in solid lines in FIG. 6 in thecorresponding gripping position. The chain lines in FIG. 6 depict theposition of cam plate 167 at the two extremes of the rocking motion ofshaft 114 and its associated members.

FIG. 11 shows the shuttle 130 of transfer mechanism 100 at its innermostposition with the finger mechanisms 190 now being retracted and ready toreturn and begin the cycle anew. As the shuttle 130 is moved from theFIG. to the FIG. 11 position the rollers 62 of escapement 60 moveinwardly in slot 197 and the arms 65 and 66 rotate on spindle 67 in thedirection of the arrows in FIG. 11 until at the innermost point of theshuttle travel (FIG. 11), surfaces 75 of heads 72 and 73 are restrainingthe line of cups C. As the shuttle 130 then moves back to the FIG. 10position, the escapement arms 65 and 66 again rotate on spindle 67around the first cup C at the same time the cup C is being restrained bythe cup holding device 61 (the press head 55 having been lowered) andthe approaching hook portions 191 of fingers 190.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, it should be remembered that a press withcapabilities of receiving ten rows of cans, five from each side of thepress, has been described along with the necessary number of transfer Imechanisms 100 and the associated devices. The mechanisms describedabove were those on the right hand side 'of FIG. I, it being understoodthat the mechanisms on the left hand side of FIG. I are substantiallysimilar with one major exception. The gear box receives its power fromshaft 28 through chain 35 to shaft 101. Shaft 101, therefore, rotates ina clockwise direction as shown by the arrows in FIG. 6. The gear box105, through gear train transfers this motion to shaft 114 whichproperly rotates in a counterclockwise direction, that is, away from thepress 20. In order to create a similar motion on the other side of press20, gear box 205 is slightly different than gear box 105 in that box 205need have one less intermediate gear to effect the same motion.

As best shown in FIG. 7, shaft 102 is driven by chain 36 and extendsthrough gear box 205, being structurally supported by bushings 234 and235. Shaft 102 drives an oil pump gear 236 which operates an oil pump237 in a standard manner to provide an oil bath for the gear trainindicated generally by the numeral 240, shown in more detail in FIG. 8.

A spur gear 241 is keyed to shaft 102 and confined in place by collars242. Gear 241 meshes with an intermediate spur gear 243 which rides onbushing 244 on fixed stub shaft 245, being held in place by collar andwasher assemblies 244a. Shaft 245 is fixed at one side to a supportplate 246, being held in place by collar 247 and fixed on the other sideto plate 248 of housing 205, being held in place by collar 249.Comparing FIGS. 5 and 6 with FIGS. 7 and 8 makes it clear that the shaft245 and gear 243 replace shafts and 149 and gears 143 and 147 of geartrain 140, this being the difference between gear train 140 and geartrain 240.

Another intermediate spur gear 252 extends around the rocker shaft 214,which controls the lateral move ment of the transfer mechanisms 100 onthe left hand side of the press 20, as shown in FIG. I, and rides onbushing 253. Spur gear 252 transfers motion from gear 243 to a furtherintermediate spur gear 255 mounted on axle 256 and held in place as bynut 257. Spur gear 255 transfers motion to a final spur gear 258 of geartrain 240 being keyed to the rotatable secondary drive shaft 260. Theoperation of gear train 240 is such that the shaft 260 rotates at thesame speed as shaft 102 with gears 243, 252 and 255 acting only as idlergears changing the direction as shown in FIG. 8 and transferring themotion at one-to-one ratio.

As was the case in gear box 105, two reciprocating brackets 261 and 262are keyed to rocker shaft 214, as at 263, and clamped thereto by bolts264. Received through bushings 265 at the upper portion of brackets 261and 262 is shaft 260. Thus, shaft 260 and the elements attached theretoreciprocate with rocker shaft 214.

Affixed to shaft 260, as by taper lock bushings 266, is a fingeractuating cam plate 267 having a cam channel 268 therein for receiving acam follower roller 269. A throw arm 270 connects cam follower roller269 to a finger control shaft 271 which extends through recip

1. Apparatus for transferring at least one row of continuously fedworkpieces to and in a machine having a plurality of work stations wheresuccessive operations are performed, comprising shuttle means, firstrocker means for carrying said shuttle means, said first rocker meansincluding a first rocker shaft moving said shuttle means laterallyinwardly and outwardly of the machine, finger mechanisms carried by saidshuttle means, second rocker means for creating movement independent ofsaid first rocker means, said second rocker means including a secondrocker shaft, said second rocker shaft being carried by and rocked withsaid first rocker means, a rack carried by said second rocker means, anda pinion on said shuttle means, said rack rotating said pinion totransversely move said finger mechanisms to selectively grip and releasethe workpieces independently of but coordinated with the work operationsof the machine.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1 having two saidshuttle means for each row of continuously fed workpieces, said fingermechanisms of adjacent shuttle means cooperating to selectively grip andrelease said workpieces.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 including afirst rotating drive shaft, a first cam means on said drive shaft, firstcam follower means operatively communicating with said first cam means,and first arm means connecting said cam follower means and said firstrocker shaft.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 1 including a firstrotating drive shaft, gear train means transferring the motion of saidfirst rotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, cam meanson said second rotating drive shaft, cam follower means operativelycommunicating with said cam means, and arm means connecting said camfollower means and said second rocker shaft.
 5. Apparatus fortransferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in amachine having a plurality of work stations where successive operationsare performed, comprising shuttle means, first rocker means for carryingsaid shuttle means, a first rocker shaft for carrying said first rockermeans to move said shuttle means laterally inwardly and outwardly of themachine, finger mechanisms carried by said shuttle means, second rockermeans, a second rocker shaft extending slidably through said firstrocker means and carrying said second rocker means, a first rotatingdrive shaft, gear train means transferring the motion of said firstrotating drive shaft to a second rotating drive shaft, cam means on saidsecond rotating drive shaft, cam follower means operativelycommunicating with said cam means, arm means connecting said camfollower means and said second rocker shaft, rack means carriEd by saidsecond rocker means, and pinion means on said shuttle means, said rackmeans rotating said pinion means to transversely move said fingermechanisms to selectively grip and release the workpieces independentlyof but coordinated with the work operations of the machine.
 6. Apparatusaccording to claim 5 having bracket means on said second rocker shaftrocking therewith, said bracket means carrying said second rotatingdrive shaft.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 3 including gear trainmeans transferring the motion of said first rotating drive shaft to asecond rotating drive shaft, second cam means on said second rotatingdrive shaft, second cam follower means operatively communicating withsaid second cam means, and second arm means connecting said second camfollower means and said second rocker shaft.
 8. Apparatus according toclaim 1, each said finger mechanism including means for grasping aworkpiece at at least two locations and a pusher plate.
 9. Apparatus fortransferring at least one row of continuously fed workpieces to and in amachine comprising a rotatably powered drive shaft, shuttle means tocarry at least one workpiece into the machine, finger mechanisms carriedby said shuttle means, first rocker means actuated by said drive shaftand connected to the shuttle means for reciprocating said shuttle meansinto and out of the machine, and second rocker means being connected tosaid finger mechanism, and carried by and rocked with said first rockermeans as well as being rockable independently for moving said fingermechanisms to grip the workpiece.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 9,wherein a cam means on said drive shaft rocks said first rocker means.11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said first rocker meansincludes a rocker shaft connected to said cam means and rocker arms onsaid rocker shaft carrying said shuttle means.
 12. Apparatus accordingto claim 11, wherein said second rocker means is carried by said rockershaft.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said second rockermeans includes a second drive shaft powered by said drive shaft, secondcam means on said second drive shaft, a second rocker shaft rocked bysaid second cam means, and a second rocker arm on said second rockershaft which moves said finger mechanisms to grip the workpiece.